Container ramp

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a ramp having a front end that can be positioned up to the open end of a shipping container. The ramp is adapted to receive the forks of a forklift for lifting and transport. Generally, the ramp is constructed of an upwardly inclined load-bearing plate having at least one, and preferably two, fork-receiving slots with forward edges parallel to the load-bearing plate back edge, with the load-bearing plate being supported on first and second side support plates having upwardly inclined upper edges attached to the load-bearing plate adjacent load-bearing plate side edges. At least one, and preferably both, of the side support plates may also have at least one, and preferably two, fork-receiving slots with a horizontal upper edge.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/449,550, filed May 30, 2003, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/390,274,filed Mar. 17, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,361, issued Mar. 23, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] (1) Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to ramps used to load andunload freight from shipping containers. In particular, the inventionrelates to a portable container ramp that can be transported by aforklift.

[0004] (2) Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Container ramps are used to load and unload items to and fromshipping containers like those carried by container ships. Shippingcontainers are often lifted from ships and placed on the dock or groundfor loading and unloading. While on the ground, a difference in levelexists between the floor of the shipping container and the surface onwhich it rests. Container ramps are used to bridge this difference inlevel. These ramps need to be portable for transport from one containerto another. Forklift tractors are the vehicles of choice fortransporting container ramps between shipping containers.

[0006] One of the challenges to transporting a container ramp is thedifficulty in initially getting the forks of a forklift under the rearedge of a ramp, which normally rests in full contact with a supportingsurface. Prior art attempts to solve this problem mostly involve a rearedge lifting mechanism having moving parts. The moving parts for theselifting mechanisms add substantially to the costs of the ramp and alsorequire more maintenance than ramps not having moving parts.

[0007] Other ramps have attached chains that loop over the forks of aforklift for lifting and transporting. Lift chains have the disadvantageof requiring a helper to ready the chains and loop them over the forksof the forklift for lifting and transport. Worse yet, if a helper is notavailable, a forklift operator must dismount the forklift to ready thechains, thereby breaking up what should be a continuous operation.

[0008] One patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,145 to Humpe discloses a rampthat does not require a lifting mechanism or lift chains. Instead, theramp disclosed by Humpe has an internal lift engagement support platestructure that receives the forks of a forklift. One disadvantage ofthis design is the need for a forklift operator to use great precisionto guide the forklift forks through openings in the ramp in order toreach the internal lift support plate structure. Another disadvantage isthe complexity of manufacture involving the alignment of the internalsupport plate structure with the slot openings in the ramp. Therefore, aneed remains for a container ramp of simple construction that can beeasily transported by a forklift tractor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to a portable container rampcapable of supporting loads of considerable weight while bridging thedifference in level between the floor of a shipping container and thesurface on which the ramp rests. The invention relates especially to acontainer ramp that can be easily lifted and transported by an elevatortype forklift tractor.

[0010] The present invention is a ramp having a front end that can bepositioned up to the open end of a shipping container and a back endadapted to receive the forks of a forklift for lifting and transport.Generally, the ramp is made up of an upwardly inclined support structurehaving an upper surface that supports a load bearing plate and a lowersurface that normally rests on the ground. The load bearing plate has anouter surface, an inner surface, a front edge, a back edge and sideedges. The load-bearing plate includes at least one slot to receive atleast one fork of a forklift. The term slot used herein covers bothcutouts and openings. In a preferred embodiment, the back edge of theload-bearing plate includes at least one cutout section with a forwardedge spaced above the support structure's lower surface. The rampfurther includes at least one lift plate that has a bottom surface thatis substantially in a plane with the at least one cutout forward edgewhen the ramp is positioned horizontally, i.e., on the ground.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment, there are two spaced cutouts in theback edge of the load-bearing surface. Each of these two cutouts issized to engage and guide a forklift fork. The spacing between thecutouts is set to receive the forks of a forklift adapted to a givenseparation distance. Preferably, the front edges of both cutouts arealigned and are parallel with the back edge of the load-bearing surface.Moreover, the forward edge of each cutout can be beveled on a downwardslope to help guide the forklift's forks to underneath the ramp. Thebevel slope can range between 5 and 45 degrees. The preferred bevelslope is around 20 degrees.

[0012] Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, sidewalls each havinga railing section and a support section attach to the side edges of theload-bearing plate. A forward bracing plate near the ramp front endextends downwardly from the load-bearing plate inner surface and extendsbetween and transverse to the sidewalls. Preferably, the upwardlyinclined support structure is made up of a plurality of bracing platesextending downwardly from the load-bearing plate's inner surface. Thebracing plates and sidewall support sections have bottom edges formingthe support structure's lower surface.

[0013] Also, two lift plates extend downwardly between two pairs of thebracing plates. Both lift plates have a bottom surface that issubstantially in a plane with the forward edges of the two cutouts whenthe ramp is positioned horizontally, i.e., resting on the ground. Thespacing of the lift plates substantially equals that of the spacing ofthe two cutouts. Moreover, the cutouts and lift plates align defining apathway that leads engaging forklift forks from the back end of the rampto the front end of the ramp.

[0014] The preferred ramp also includes a forward section comprising alip for extending over the floor of a shipping container. The lipcomprises a horizontal lower surface with a forward edge that extendsfrom the front end of the ramp. An upper surface for the lip is madefrom a section of the load-bearing surface that extends beyond the frontend of the ramp and inclines slightly downward such that theload-bearing surface front edge joins with the horizontal surface'sforward edge. Preferably, the lip upper surface inclines downwardly atan angle of around 10 degrees. It is also preferred that theload-bearing surface has a texture to prevent slipping while loading orunloading a shipping container. The texture can be any texture thatmakes for a non-slip surface. An example would be a texture like thatfound on the surface of a type of steel plate commonly known as diamondplate.

[0015] To lift the ramp, a forklift operator drives the fork tips of aforklift tractor under both cutout forward edges. As the forklifttractor is driven forward, the edges of the cutouts guide the forklift'sforks underneath the lift plates. Normally, the forklift operatorcontinues driving the forklift forward until the tips of the forksextend slightly beyond ramp front end. At this point the forklift'sforks can be raised to lift the ramp. When lifted, the weight of theramp is distributed across the forklift's fork at the cutout forwardedges, lift plates, and forward bracing plate.

[0016] Once lifted, the ramp can be carried on the forklift's forks to ashipping container to be loaded or unloaded. Since the front end of theramp is facing away from the forklift tractor when carried, the rampfront end can be maneuvered just up to the open end of a shippingcontainer. When the ramp is lowered, the support surface will come torest on the ground and the ramp lip will extend into the shippingcontainer. Ideally, the lip lower surface will come to rest on the floorof the container. However, slight differences in level may allow a smallgap to exist between the lip's lower surface and the container floor.Once the ramp is resting horizontally on the ground, the forklifttractor is backed away and the forklift forks withdraw from beneath thecutout leading edges.

[0017] In an alternate embodiment, a slot is an opening in theload-bearing plate rather than a cutout, and in this case, a slot willhave both a forward edge and a trailing edge. Generally, the alternateembodiment has a load-bearing plate that includes at least one openingwith a forward edge spaced above the support structure's lower surface.The at least one opening is preferably located within the rear sectionof the ramp's load-bearing plate. The rear section of the load-bearingplate extends from the back edge of the load-bearing plate toapproximately midway the load-bearing plate between the ramp's front endand back end. In other words, the at least one opening is spaced forwardof the load-bearing plate's back edge and to the rear of the mid-pointof the ramp. Preferably the at least one opening is spaced immediatelyto the rear of the midpoint of the ramp.

[0018] The ramp further includes at least one lift plate that has abottom surface that is substantially in a plane with the at least oneopening's forward edge when the ramp is positioned horizontally, i.e.,on the ground. The ramp also includes at least one fork capture platespaced below the at least one lift plate for preventing the ramp fromfalling off a forklift fork when the ramp is accelerated by themovements of a forklift tractor transporting the ramp from one locationto another.

[0019] Preferably, the alternate embodiment has two spaced rectangularshaped openings within the load-bearing surface's rear section. Each ofthese two openings is sized to engage and guide a forklift fork. Thespacing between the openings is set to receive the forks of a forkliftadapted to a given separation distance. Preferably, the front edges ofboth openings are aligned and are parallel with the back edge of theload-bearing surface. Moreover, the forward edge of each opening can bebeveled on a downward slope to help guide the forklift's forks tounderneath the ramp. The trailing edge of each opening can also bebeveled with a downward slope to help guide the forks of a forklift. Thebevel slope for either edge can range between 5 and 45 degree. Thepreferred bevel slope is around 20 degrees.

[0020] Furthermore, like the preferred embodiment, the alternateembodiment includes sidewalls, each having a railing section and asupport section attached to the side edges of the load-bearing plate. Aforward bracing plate near the ramp front end extends downwardly fromthe load-bearing plate inner surface and extends between and transverseto the sidewalls. Preferably, the upwardly inclined support structure ismade up of a plurality of bracing plates extending downwardly from theload-bearing plate's inner surface. The bracing plates and sidewallsupport sections have bottom edges forming the support structure's lowersurface.

[0021] The alternate embodiment also includes, two lift plates that areattached between two pairs of the bracing plates. Both lift plates havea bottom surface that is substantially in a plane with the forward edgesof the two openings when the ramp is positioned horizontally, i.e.,resting on the ground. The spacing of the lift plates substantiallyequals that of the spacing of the two openings. Moreover, the openingsand lift plates align defining a pathway that leads engaging forkliftforks from the trailing edges of the openings to the front end of theramp. To prevent the ramp from bouncing or tipping off the forkliftforks during ramp transport, a fork capture plate is spaced below eachlift plate and is preferably attached to the same pairs of braces as thelift plates. The space between the lift plates and fork capture platesare pockets through which the front portions of the forklift forks areinserted in order to lift the ramp. Preferably, each fork capture platehas a bottom surface that is substantially in a plane with the supportstructure's lower surface when the ramp is positioned horizontally.

[0022] Like the preferred ramp, the alternate embodiment also includes aforward section comprising a lip for extending over the floor of ashipping container. The lip comprises a horizontal lower surface with aforward edge that extends from the front end of the ramp. An uppersurface for the lip is made from a section of the load-bearing surfacethat extends beyond the front end of the ramp and inclines slightlydownward such that the load-bearing surface front edge joins with thehorizontal surface's forward edge. Preferably, the lip upper surfaceinclines downwardly at an angle of around 10 degrees. It is alsopreferred that the load-bearing surface of the alternate embodiment hasa texture to prevent slipping while loading or unloading a shippingcontainer. The texture can be any texture that makes for a non-slipsurface. An example would be a texture like that found on the surface ofa type of steel plate commonly known as diamond plate.

[0023] To lift the alternate embodiment of the ramp, a forklift operatordrives the fork tips of a forklift tractor under both opening's forwardedges and above the fork capture plate. As the forklift tractor isdriven forward, the edges of the openings guide the forklift's forksbetween the lift plates and fork capture plates. Normally, the forkliftoperator continues driving the forklift forward until the tips of theforks extend beyond the forward extents of the lift and fork captureplates. At this point the forklift's forks can be raised to lift theramp. When lifted, the weight of the ramp is distributed across theforklift's fork at the openings forward edges, and lift plates.

[0024] Once lifted, the alternate embodiment of the ramp can be carriedon the forklift's forks to a shipping container to be loaded orunloaded. Since the front end of the ramp is facing away from theforklift tractor when carried, the ramp front end can be maneuvered justup to the open end of a shipping container. When the ramp is lowered,the support surface will come to rest on the ground and the ramp lipwill extend into the shipping container. Ideally, the lip lower surfacewill come to rest on the floor of the container. However, slightdifferences in level may allow a small gap to exist between the lip'slower surface and the container floor. Once the ramp is restinghorizontally on the ground, the forklift tractor is backed away and theforklift forks withdraw from beneath the openings leading edges.

[0025] Other embodiments can be created by combining elements of thepreferred embodiment with the proceeding alternate embodiment. Forexample, the fork capture plates can be added to the preferredembodiment to help prevent the preferred ramp from falling from theforks of a forklift during transport.

[0026] The present invention also contemplates a container ramp in whichslots are included in the side support plates instead of, or in additionto, the slots in the load-bearing plate. Again, the definition of“slots” as used herein, unless otherwise stated, is intended toencompass both cutouts at the rear edge of the load-bearing plate orbottom edge of the support plate, as well as openings with a lower edgespaced forward of the rear edge of the load-bearing plate or spacedabove the bottom edge of the support plate.

[0027] The container ramp in this embodiment is therefore comprised ofan upwardly inclined load-bearing plate that is supported on supportplates extending downwardly from the side edges of the load-bearingplate. The load-bearing plate has an outer surface, an inner surface, afront edge, a back edge, first and second parallel side edges. The firstand second side support plates have upwardly inclined upper edgesattached to the load-bearing plate adjacent its side edges, horizontallower surfaces, and front edges, at least one of the side support plateshaving at least one fork-receiving slot with a horizontal upper edge. Inaddition, the load-bearing plate may have at least one fork-receivingslot with a forward edge parallel to the back edge of the load-bearingplate.

[0028] This ramp may be modified in various ways. For example, a frontplate may be attached to the ends of the front edges of the supportplates parallel to the load-bearing plate front edge. One or moreadditional inner support plates may be attached to the inner surface ofthe load-bearing plate to provide additional support for material placedon the load-bearing plate. A lip may be included as described for thepreceding embodiments. The lip extends from the front edge of theload-bearing surface, and has a substantially horizontal lower surfaceand a downwardly inclined upper surface. Instead of a single slot, theload-bearing plate can include two longitudinally aligned,fork-receiving slots with forward edges parallel to the load-bearingplate back edge. Similarly, one or both of the side support plates caninclude two longitudinally aligned, fork-receiving slots with horizontalupper edges.

[0029] In this latter embodiment of the invention, positioning of theramp can be accomplished by inserting the forks of a forklift into theslot or slots at the rear of the load-bearing plate, or into the slow orslots in either of the side support plates. Thus, greater flexibility inpositioning is possible, particularly when there is a need to maneuverthe container ramp in tight spaces where positioning of the fork liftbehind the ramp may not be feasible.

[0030] These and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the followingdescription of the preferred and alternate embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred ramp as seen fromabove showing the load-bearing surface.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the preferred ramp showing thepositional relationship between the at least one lift plate and the atleast one cutout.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred ramp's undersideshowing the lift plates and plurality of bracing plates.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theramp as seen from above showing the load-bearing surface.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the alternate embodiment ofthe ramp showing the positional relationship between the at least onelift plate and the at least one slot.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the alternate ramp's undersideshowing the lift plates, fork capture plates and plurality of bracingplates.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the ramp asseen from above showing the load-bearing surface.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the ramp of FIG. 7.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the underside of the ramp of FIG.7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright,vertical, above, below, beneath, and the like, are used solely for thepurpose of clarity in illustrating the invention, and should not betaken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose ofillustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a typical ramp 10 comprises a front end12 that can be positioned up to the open end of a shipping container(not shown). Ramp 10, has a back end 14 adapted to receive the forks ofa forklift for lifting and transport. Generally, ramp 10 is made up of aload bearing plate 16 and a support structure 18. Load-bearing plate 16has a front edge 20, a back edge 22, a side edge 24 and a side edge 26.Load-bearing surface 16 is supported in an upwardly inclined position bysupport structure 18. Preferably, ramp 10 is made of aluminum or steelcomponents, but could be made of any material with strength to carry theloads anticipated and weather any expected environmental conditions.

[0042] In accordance with the present invention, ramp 10 includes twocutout sections 28 and 30, having forward edges 32 and 34 spaced abovethe lower surface of support structure 18. Sidewalls 36 and 38 each havea railing section 40 and a support section having a bottom edge formingthe lower surface of support structure 18. Sidewalls 36 and 38 attach toload bearing plate edges 24 and 26 along a plane that separates eachrailing section and each support section.

[0043]FIG. 3 shows ramp 10 turned upside down. When right side up, aforward bracing plate 42 near ramp front end 12, extends downwardly fromthe inner surface of load-bearing plate 16, and extends between andtransverse to sidewalls 36 and 38. Ramp 10 further includesequidistantly spaced bracing plates 44, 46, 48 and 50 that extenddownwardly from the inner surface of load-bearing plate 16 andrearwardly from forward bracing plate 42.

[0044] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a lift plate 52 extends downwardlyfrom the inner surface of load-bearing plate 16 and extends between rampbracing plates 44 and 46. Another lift plate 54 extends downwardly fromload-bearing surface 16 and extends between ramp bracing plates 48 and50. As best seen in FIG. 2, lift plates 52 and 54 each have a bottomsurface substantially in a plane with cutout forward edges 32 and 34,when ramp 10 is positioned horizontally, i.e., resting on the ground.

[0045] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, ramp 10 also includes a forwardsection comprising a lip 56 for extending over the floor of a shippingcontainer (not shown). Lip 56 has horizontal lower surface 58 and anupper surface 60 that inclines downwardly to join at front edge 20. Lip56 extends from ramp front end 12. Preferably load-bearing surface 16has a texture 62 to prevent slipping.

[0046] To lift ramp 10, a forklift operator drives the fork tips of aforklift tractor (not shown) under cutout forward edges 32 and 34. Asthe forklift tractor is driven forward, cutouts 32 and 34 guide theforklift's forks underneath lift plates 52 and 54. Preferably, theforklift operator continues driving the forklift forward until the tipsof the forks extend slightly beyond ramp front end 12. At this point theforklift's forks can be raised lifting ramp 10. When lifted, the weightof ramp 10 is distributed across the forklift's fork at cutout leadingedges 32 and 34, lift plates 52 and 54, and forward bracing plate 42.

[0047] Once lifted, ramp 10 can be carried on the forklift's forks to ashipping container to be loaded or unloaded. Since ramp front end 12 isfacing away from the forklift tractor when carried, ramp front end 12can be placed just up to the open end of a shipping container. When ramp10 is lowered, support surface 18 will come to rest on the ground andlip 56 will extend into the shipping container. Ideally, lip lowersurface 58 will come to rest on the floor of the container, howeverslight differences in level may allow a small gap to exist between lowersurface 58 and the container floor. Once ramp 10 is resting horizontallyon the ground, the forklift tractor is backed away and the forkliftforks withdraw from beneath cutout leading edges 32 and 34.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is a ramp 100 comprising a front end 112 that can bepositioned up to the open end of a shipping container (not shown). Ramp100, has a back end 114 adapted to receive the forks of a forklift forlifting and transport. Generally, ramp 100 is made up of a load bearingplate 116 and a support structure 118. Load-bearing plate 116 has afront edge 120, a back edge 122, a side edge 124 and a side edge 126.Load-bearing surface 116 is supported in an upwardly inclined positionby support structure 118. Preferably, ramp 100 is made of aluminum orsteel components, but could be made of any material with strength tocarry the loads anticipated and weather any expected environmentalconditions.

[0049] In accordance with the present invention, alternate ramp 100includes two rectangular shaped openings 128 and 130, having forwardedges 132 and 134 spaced above the lower surface of support structure118. Openings 128 and 130 also have trailing edges 133 and 135 that, inconjunction with forward edges 132 and 134, help guide forklift forkstrough openings 128 and 130.

[0050] Sidewalls 136 and 138 each have a railing section 140 and asupport section having a bottom edge forming the lower surface ofsupport structure 118. Sidewalls 136 and 138 attach to load bearingplate edges 124 and 126 along a plane that separates each railingsection and each support section.

[0051]FIG. 6 shows alternate ramp 100 turned upside down. When rightside up, a forward bracing plate 142 near ramp front end 112, extendsdownwardly from the inner surface of load-bearing plate 116, and extendsbetween and transverse to sidewalls 136 and 138. Ramp 100 furtherincludes equidistantly spaced bracing plates 144, 146, 148 and 150 thatextend downwardly from the inner surface of load-bearing plate 116 andrearwardly from forward bracing plate 142.

[0052] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a lift plate 152 is attached toand extends between ramp bracing plates 144 and 146. Another lift plate154 is attached to and extends between ramp bracing plates 148 and 150.As best seen in FIG. 4, lift plates 152 and 154 each have a bottomsurface substantially in a plane with opening forward edges 132 and 134,when alternate ramp 100 is positioned horizontally, i.e., resting on theground. A fork capture plate 153 is attached to support structure 118and extends between bracing plates 144 and 146. Whenever alternate ramp100 rests on the ground, fork capture plate 153 lies within a planeparallel to and spaced below lift plate 152. Another fork capture plate155 is attached to support structure 118 and extends between bracingplates 148 and 150. Similar to fork capture plate 153, fork captureplate 155 lies within a plane parallel to and spaced below lift plate154 whenever ramp 100 is positioned horizontally, i.e., resting on theground.

[0053] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, alternate ramp 100 also includes aforward section comprising a lip 156 for extending over the floor of ashipping container (not shown). Lip 156 has horizontal lower surface 158and an upper surface 160 that inclines downwardly to join at front edge120. Lip 156 extends from ramp front end 112. Preferably, load-bearingsurface 116 has a texture 162 to prevent slipping.

[0054] To lift ramp 100, a forklift operator drives the fork tips of aforklift tractor (not shown) under cutout forward edges 132 and 134. Asthe forklift tractor is driven forward, openings 132 and 134 guide theforklift's forks underneath lift plates 152 and 154. Preferably, theforklift operator continues driving the forklift forward until the tipsof the forks extend beyond the forward extent of lifting plates 152 and154 as shown in FIG. 5 wherein a forklift fork 157 (shown in phantom) isdepicted engaging lift plate 152. At this point the forklift's forks canbe raised lifting alternate ramp 100. When lifted, the weight of ramp100 is distributed across the forklift's forks at openings leading edges132 and 134 and lift plates 152 and 154.

[0055] Once lifted, alternate ramp 100 can be carried on the forklift'sforks to a shipping container to be loaded or unloaded. Since ramp frontend 112 is facing away from the forklift tractor when carried, rampfront end 112 can be placed just up to the open end of a shippingcontainer. When alternate ramp 100 is lowered, support surface 118 willcome to rest on the ground and lip 156 will extend into the shippingcontainer. Ideally, lip lower surface 158 will come to rest on the floorof the container, however slight differences in level may allow a smallgap to exist between lower surface 158 and the container floor. Oncealternate ramp 100 is resting horizontally on the ground, the forklifttractor is backed away and the forklift forks withdraw from openings 128and 130.

[0056] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 shows the inclusion ofslots in the side support plates. While the illustrated embodiment alsoincludes slots in the load-bearing surface, it will be understood thatthe embodiment contemplates ramps with slots in both the load-bearingplate and one or both side support plates, as well as ramps with slotsonly in the load-bearing plate or the support plates, as well as rampswith slots in only one of the support plates.

[0057] Specifically, ramp, generally 170, is comprised of a load-bearingplate 172 having fork-receiving slots 174 and 176 with forward edgesparallel to the back edge of plate 172. Plate 172 is supported in aninclined position by first and second side support plates 178 and 180.Plate 178 has an upwardly inclined upper edge integral with one sideedge of plate 172, while plate 180 has an upwardly inclined upper edgeintegral with the opposite, parallel side edge of plate 172. Plates 178and 180 have lower surfaces that are horizontal when ramp 170 is restingon a horizontal surface. Plate 178 includes horizontally, alignedfork-insertion slots 182 and 184, and plate 180 includes horizontallyaligned fork-insertion slots 186 and 188. 14.

[0058] Ramp 170 may further include a lip 190 extending downwardly fromthe front edge of load-bearing plate 172 and a front plate 192.Optionally, ramp 170 may include one or more inner support plates 194,which have upwardly inclined upper edges attached to the lower surfaceof load-bearing plate 172.

[0059] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. Itshould be understood that all such modifications and improvements havebeen deleted for the sake of conciseness and readability but areproperly within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable container ramp adapted to betransported on the forks of a forklift, said ramp comprising: a) aload-bearing plate having an outer surface, an inner surface, a frontedge, a back edge, first and second parallel side edges, and at leastone fork-receiving slot with a forward edge parallel to said back edge;and b) first and second side support plates having upwardly inclinedupper edges attached to said load-bearing plate adjacent said sideedges, horizontal lower edges, and front edges.
 2. The container ramp ofclaim 1, further including a front plate parallel to said load-bearingplate front edge, said front plate having ends attached to the frontedges of said support plates.
 3. The container ramp of claim 1, furtherincluding at least one inner support plate having a upwardly inclinedupper edge attached to the lower surface of said load-bearing platebetween said side support plates, and a horizontal lower surface.
 4. Thecontainer ramp of claim 1, further including a lip with a substantiallyhorizontal lower surface and a downwardly inclined upper surface, saidlip extending from the front edge of said load-bearing surface.
 5. Thecontainer ramp of claim 1, wherein said load-bearing plate includes twolongitudinally aligned, fork-receiving slots with forward edges parallelto said load-bearing plate back edge.
 6. A portable container rampadapted to be transported on the forks of a forklift, said rampcomprising: a) a load-bearing plate having an outer surface, an innersurface, a front edge, a back edge, first and second parallel sideedges; and b) first and second side support plates having upwardlyinclined upper edges attached to said load-bearing plate adjacent saidside edges, horizontal lower surfaces, and front edges, at least one ofsaid side support plates having at least one fork-receiving slot with ahorizontal upper edge.
 7. The container ramp of claim 6, furtherincluding a front plate parallel to said load-bearing plate front edge,said front plate having ends attached to the front edges of said supportplates.
 8. The container of claim 6, further including at least oneinner support plate having a upwardly inclined upper edge attached tothe lower surface of said load-bearing plate between said side supportplates, and a horizontal lower surface.
 9. The container of claim 6,further including a lip with a substantially horizontal lower surfaceand a downwardly inclined upper surface, said lip extending from thefront edge of said load-bearing surface.
 10. The container ramp of claim6, wherein at least one of said side support plates includes twolongitudinally aligned, fork-receiving slots with horizontal upperedges.
 11. The container ramp of claim 6, wherein both of said sidesupport plates include at least one fork-receiving slot with ahorizontal upper edge.
 12. The container ramp of claim 6, wherein bothof said side support plates include two longitudinally aligned,fork-receiving slots with horizontal upper edges.
 13. A portablecontainer ramp adapted to be transported on the forks of a forklift,said ramp comprising: a) a load-bearing plate having an outer surface,an inner surface, a front edge, a back edge, first and second parallelside edges, and at least one fork-receiving slot with a forward edgeparallel to said back edge; and b) first and second side support plateshaving upwardly inclined upper edges attached to said load-bearing plateadjacent said side edges, horizontal lower surfaces, and front edges, atleast one of said side support plates having at least one fork-receivingslot with a horizontal upper edge.
 14. The container ramp of claim 13,further including a front plate parallel to said load-bearing platefront edge, said front plate having ends attached to the front edges ofsaid support plates.
 15. The container of claim 13, further including atleast one inner support plate having a upwardly inclined upper edgeattached to the lower surface of said load-bearing plate between saidside support plates, and a horizontal lower surface.
 16. The containerof claim 13, further including a lip with a substantially horizontallower surface and a downwardly inclined upper surface, said lipextending from the front edge of said load-bearing surface.
 17. Thecontainer ramp of claim 1, wherein said load-bearing plate includes twolongitudinally aligned, fork-receiving slots with forward edges parallelto said load-bearing plate back edge.
 18. The container ramp of claim13, wherein at least one of said side support plates includes twolongitudinally aligned, fork-receiving slots with horizontal upperedges.
 19. The container ramp of claim 13, wherein both of said sidesupport plates include at least one fork-receiving slot with ahorizontal upper edge.
 20. The container ramp of claim 13, wherein bothof said side support plates include two longitudinally aligned,fork-receiving slots with horizontal upper edges.